Children - As introduced, requires, in contested child custody, dependency and neglect, adoption, and guardianship proceedings in which the court has appointed a guardian ad litem, a court to order the child to be evaluated by a qualified expert unless the court determines an examination is unnecessary; requires the expert to submit a report containing certain information; specifies that the submitted report constitutes prima facie evidence of the child's condition and the factors relevant to the child's best interest; specifies various other requirements for the guardian ad litem's consideration of the report and the allocation of the examination costs. - Amends TCA Title 36 and Title 37.

SB 1987 requires courts to order evaluations by qualified mental health professionals in contested child custody, dependency/neglect, adoption, and guardianship cases where a guardian ad litem (GAL) is appointed, unless the court finds an evaluation unnecessary in writing. The evaluation report must detail the child's medical, psychological, and behavioral history and condition, and becomes strong evidence of the child's best interests unless challenged as incomplete or unreliable. The GAL must consider the report in their recommendations, and if they disagree significantly, they must explain why in writing. Courts must also allocate evaluation costs among parties based on their ability to pay.